"Yitro was happy about all the good"(Exodus 18:9) Shevat 23, 5784/February 2, 2024 "Vayishma Yitro - And Yitro, priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moshe, heard all that G-d had done for Moshe and for Israel, His people that HaShem had taken Israel out of Egypt." (Exodus 18:1) Thus begins parashat Yitro which contains, no doubt, the most consequential event in the history of humankind - the receiving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. For nearly seven weeks Israel has been on the move. Following the brazen slaughter of the Paschal lambs in the face of their Egyptian neighbors in preparation for the dramatic Passover exodus from Egypt, and the unprecedented splitting of the Sea of Reeds, allowing Israel to cross over while the pursuing Egyptian army sank and drowned in the sea, and the water from a rock and the manna from heaven, and finally Israel's victory over the the evil Amalek, it seems an odd time for the beautiful domestic scene which opens our Torah reading. Israel has made it all this way and at last is encamped at the foot of the Mountain of G-d, the rendezvous point first presented to Moshe by HaShem at the burning bush. Shouldn't we just proceed to the main event - the receiving of Torah? Isn't that what all this is leading to? Why take time out now in our narrative to focus on the reunification of Moshe's nuclear family? Don't we have bigger things to discuss? After all, Yitro's arrival, with Tzipporah and her two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, could have been told at a different time. In fact, our sages have always questioned when exactly Yitro did arrive at the Israelite encampment. For immediately after the family homecoming we are told of Yitro's sage advice to Moshe concerning the formation of a judicial system to better serve the people. If Israel has not yet received the Torah then on what legal basis is Moshe sitting from dawn to dusk, tending to the disputes of the children of Israel? Nevertheless, the Torah chooses to record Yitro's arrival right here, immediately before the dramatic prelude to the receiving of Torah. Why? Yitro, we are told by Midrash, was the ancient world's greatest expert and practitioner of idolatry. Knowledgeable in all the world's competing idolatries he was searching for the god that was above all other gods, for the way of life that was more meaningful than any other way of life. Yitro's lifelong study of idolatry was, in fact, his lifelong search for truth. And in the news of the dramatic events that occurred to Israel after Moshe left Midian and returned to Egypt, and in the miraculous splitting of the Sea and in Israel's victory over Amalek by virtue of Moshe's uplifted arms, Yitro understood that HaShem, the G-d of Israel, was, as it were, in a league of His own. G-d is the only G-d. "Vayichad Yitro -Yitro was happy about all the good that HaShem had done for Israel, that He had rescued them from the hands of the Egyptians." (ibid 18:9) The Hebrew word vayichad - happy - shares the same root with the word echad - one. Yitro has been weaned of his idolatrous practices. He understands now there is but one G-d, and this knowledge brings him joy and inspires him to bless HaShem: "Blessed is HaShem, Who has rescued you from the hands of the Egyptians and from the hand of Pharaoh, Who has rescued the people from beneath the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that HaShem is greater than all the deities, for with the thing that they plotted, He came upon them." (ibid 18:10-11) But there is more to our vignette. While we all delight in Yitro's new found knowledge and his praises for HaShem, no less important is the family drama that is taking place. Moshe and his wife and children have been reunited. The fact that we won't hear of either Tzipporah or her two sons again only makes this moment even more significant. The family is united and brother-in-law and uncle Aharon joins them, as do the elders of Israel, for a festive meal, followed by offerings performed by Yitro to his newly discovered G-d. As sweet as this family snapshot is, isn't it ultimately overshadowed and overwhelmed by what is to follow - the revelation at Mount Sinai? If we look carefully at Moshe's family reunion we can actually see a foreshadowing of so much that is contained in the Torah that Israel is about to receive: Yitro recognizes HaShem as the one G-d who delivered Israel from Egypt. Moshe, upon seeing Yitro, "bowed down and kissed him," displaying parental respect. Neither jealousy nor covetousness has a place at the table as the extended family enjoys a festive meal, presaging the Shabbat and festival meals that Israel will partake of in the future. And the celebrating family is joined, of course, by G-d Himself, whose presence blesses the occasion and all who are gathered there, just as Yitro has blessed HaShem. And last, but not least, Yitro's peace and burnt offerings presage what will become a mainstay of Israel's relationship with HaShem in the future Holy Temple. In this brief family portrait we are given a prescription and a description of all that the soon to be given Torah wishes for the children of Israel and for all who see fit to sit at Israel's table: family, brotherhood, love and respect; peace and good will; food on the table and gratitude for HaShem's benevolence, and, of course, joy, as the psalmist says, "Serve HaShem with joy, come before Him with praise." (Psalms 100:2) Israel is about to experience not only the most important moment in history, but also, quite possibly, the most terrifying moment in history. Dark clouds, thunder, quaking earth beneath their feet, a shofar sounding with increasing intensity, all staggering their very senses so profoundly that they actually "saw the voices and the torches, the sound of the shofar," and begged Moshe to be their go between, because the direct voice of G-d that they have heard is more than they can withstand. G-d, in preparing Israel for receiving Torah has gone all out, presenting a spectacular sound and light display, a full fledged multimedia experience, not merely to get their attention, or as Moshe explains, to "test" Israel. G-d is also in the act of courting Israel, to betroth Israel via the Torah covenant, and as any suitor driven by deep love, G-d also wants to impress. G-d goes all out for His beloved Israel, and in doing so, nearly scares them away. And this is where it is important to reflect back on our parasha's opening scene of domestic joy and tranquility, of love and gratitude expressed, not on the G-d shaking the earth level, but on the human level. And that is ultimately the goal of Torah and HaShem's desire for Israel. And so G-d's final words of comfort to Israel at the parasha's conclusion: "An altar of earth you shall make for Me, and you shall slaughter beside it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your cattle. Wherever I allow My name to be mentioned, I will come to you and bless you." (ibid 20:21) Isn't this how our story began? Yitro not only took Moshe, a fugitive on the run, into his house and married him to his daughter; he not only advised him on creating a judicial hierarchy so that justice could be properly meted out to the people; he also provided a proper prologue to the Sinai revelation, reminding all that G-d's greatest aspiration for man, lightning and thunder and quaking mountain notwithstanding, can be embodied in the gathering of family and friends, a festive meal, expressions of thanks and gratitude, and in serving HaShem with joy. The Torah reading describing the greatest event in history bears the name of Yitro. He has certainly earned the honor! . |
Tune in to this week's Temple Talk, as Yitzchak Reuven talks about Mount Sinai and a kingdom of kohanim and a holy nation, about the IDF cleaning up in southern Gaza, and about Yitro & the age old tradition of offerings to HaShem! Israel arrives at Mount Sinai for those "3 days with HaShem '' that Moshe first informed Pharaoh, way back when, and just in time for the Ten Commandments. Yitro's offering at the opening of the parashah is endorsed by G-d's invitation to Israel to build an altar and bring offerings, at the close of the parashah. Plus an update of Israel's war in Gaza and in the north! |
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Societies need rules and regulations in order to survive, hopefully in peace and prosperity. The most famous and most universal set of laws handed down from G-d to man are the Ten Commandments, which have long since become the fundamental do's and don'ts that guide healthy societies the world over. Yitro (Exodus 18:1 - 20:23)
Parashat Yitro is read on Shabbat:
Shevat 24, 5784/February 3, 2024 |
Haftara For Shabbat Parashat Yitro
Isaiah 6:1-13: "In the year of the death of King Uzziah, I saw HaShem sitting on a high and exalted throne, and His lower extremity filled the Temple. Seraphim stood above for Him, six wings, six wings to each one; with two he would cover his face, and with two he would cover his feet, and with two he would fly. And one called to the other and said, "Holy, holy, holy is HaShem of Hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory...'" |
Become a Member of the Temple Institute! Introducing the Temple Institute's new membership card, in PDF format to conveniently download onto your phone. We are issuing the new membership cards to all new donors and will soon be sending the new card to our veteran donors, as well! (If you are expecting to receive your card, please check your spam folder!) |
The Chamber Of Wood, "Parhedrin" The Chamber of Wood was the chamber of the Kohen Gadol. In this chamber, a mezuzah was affixed, because the _Kohen Gado_l would live here seven days prior to Yom Kippur. This chamber was originally called the Chamber of Balavatai, meaning "the Chamber of the Ministers." |
The Chamber Of The Hewn-Stone
One of the chambers in the north of the Court was called the Chamber of the Hewn-Stone. In the western part of chamber, where an opening lead to the Chail, the Great Sanhedrin convened. Its members sat in a semi-circle. In the center sat the head of the Sanhedrin. In the eastern part of this chamber, where an opening lead to the Court, the kohanim on watch gathered to recite the Shema and to pray here, after the Tamid offering had been slaughtered and its blood was dashed upon the altar. |
Blessed Are You, Hashem! As the IDF continues to eliminate Hamas terrorists, destroy their weapons and caches of ammunition, their missiles and missile launchers, and destroy their 100's of miles on terror tunnels, a reporter embedded within the troops took the opportunity to sound a shofar after the soldiers said the Shehecheyanu prayer: "Blessed are You, HaShem our G-d, King of the Universe, who has granted us life, sustained us and enabled us to reach this occasion!" |
The Eleventh Commandment! We read in this week's Torah portion, Yitro, all about the Sinai revelation and the receiving of the Ten Commandments, the fundamental moral principles that have shaped human history since that day. There is no moment in human history more momentous than this. |
Tiny Weights Hint At Pre-Muslim Christian Presence On Temple Mount – Archaeologists Two recently discovered Byzantine-era coin weights are evidence there was a Christian presence on the Temple Mount before the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem, and perhaps even point to an early church there, archaeologists said in a recent paper. |
The Chambers In The North Wall Of The Inner Court A number of chambers were located in the northern part of the Court. The Chamber of Hewn-Stone was where the Great Sanhedrin convened. The Chamber of Wood was the chamber of the Kohen Gadol. It was here that the Kohen Gadol lived for the seven days preceding his service on Yom Kippur. The Chamber of the Well is where water,was drawn for use in the Court. The Place of the Hearth housed a number of smaller chambers. |
This Week: Parashat Yitro: Yitro (Jethro) Makes An Offering To The G-d Of Israel! In the week's Torah reading, Yitro, Yitro, Moshe's father-in-law, along with Moshe's wife, Tzipporah and her two sons, pays a visit to Moshe and Israel. After Moshe told to Yitro all that HaShem had done for Israel in Egypt and in the wilderness, we read that "Yitro was happy about all the good that HaShem had done for Israel, that He had rescued them from the hands of the Egyptians..." |
The Parts Of The Laver: The Faucets, Pedestal And Muchni The Faucets: The "dadim" were the faucets of the laver. During the era of the Mishkan, the laver had two faucets. During the period of the Second Temple, a priest by the name Ben Katin constructed a laver with twelve faucets. This enabled all twelve priests who were chosen during the second lottery to bring the Tamid offering of dawn to sanctify their hands and feet simultaneously. |
More Than A Fashion Statement! Many of our IDF soldiers in Gaza and in the north are sporting patches on their uniforms depicting the Holy Temple, expressing a clear statement of what this war is really about. Hamas made it clear from the start when they named their barbaric attack on Israeli citizens, men, women and children, "the al Aqsa flood," al Aqsa being the jihadist nomenclature for the Temple Mount. |
Silver Trumpets For IDF Combat Units!
Thanks to some generous donations the Temple Institute has begun to produce trumpets from one piece of silver, as per Torah commandment, and has begun distributing the trumpets to IDF combat units, to be sounded before entering into combat. |
Mikdash Monday - 7 Species (Part 7) “For Hashem your G-d brings you into a good land, a land of water courses, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; A land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey;” (Deuteronomy 8:7-8) |
Red Heifers Thriving In Israel! Recently a friend visited the red heifers which are being raised here in Israel and shared with us this photo. They look healthy and happy, but we have no update on their halachic status, whether or not they are still eligible candidates for providing the purifying ashes of the red heifer. |
The Area Between The Ulam And The Mizbeach: The Laver The laver stood between the Ulam and the mizbeach. Every kohen, before beginning his duties, was required to immerse himself in a ritual bath, don the priestly garments, and sanctify his hands and feet from the water of the copper laver. During the era of the Mishkan, the laver had two faucets. During the Second Temple Period, a priest by the name of Ben Katin, modified the laver equipping it with twelve faucets so that all the kohanim performing the Tamid offering of dawn could sanctify their hands and feet simultaneously. |
Shavua Tov From The Temple Mount! Despite the rainy weather, 100's of Jews ascended and prayed on the Temple Mount this past week, including last Thursday, which was Tu bShvat - the New year for Trees in the land of Israel. Jewish Presence and Prayer on the Temple Mount are a Promise for Peace, as prophesied by the Hebrew prophets of old: "And in this place I will grant peace, says HaShem of Hosts." (Chaggai 2:9) "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations." (Isaiah 56:7) Shavua tov - have a good week! |
Build a House for HaShem! "Be strong and have courage! Build a House for HaShem!" In this scene from a film soon to become an integral part of the Temple Institute's Jerusalem based Visitors Center experience, the prophet Samuel charges King David with the task of building the Holy Temple! |
The Glory of this Last House Shall be Greater than the First! "The Glory of this Last House Shall be Greater than the First!" In this scene from a film soon to become an integral part of the Temple Institute's Jerusalem based Visitors Center experience, Zerubavel from the house of David and Kohen Gadol (High Priest) Yehoshua consult with the prophet Haggai who instructs them to waste no time in rebuilding the Holy Temple! |
Red Heifers Arrive In Israel! On Thursday, September 15, 2022, 5 PM, 5 perfect, unblemished red heifers arrived in Israel from the USA. A modest ceremony was held at the unloading bay of the cargo terminal at Ben Gurion airport, where the new arrivals were greeted and speeches were made by the incredible people who have put their hearts and souls and means into making this historic/prophetic day become a reality. |
Biblical Red Heifer Could Bring Million Visitors To Samaria The Ancient Shiloh heritage site will soon host a Red Heifer research center. Hundreds of visitors flocked to Shiloh in Samaria’s Binyamin region on Thursday to welcome a biblically pure red heifer. The 22-month-old cow, which was brought to Israel from the United States, found a new home at the Ancient Shiloh heritage site, where the biblical Tabernacle once stood. |
Blessings from the holy city of Jerusalem!
Yitzchak Reuven
The Temple Institute |
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